It's strange, the things you remember. When life has crumbled suddenly, and left you standing there alone. It's not the big important things that you remember when you come to that, not the plans of years, not the love or the hopes you've worked so hard for. It's the little things that you remember then, the little things you hadn't noticed at the time. The way a hand touched yours, and your too busy to notice, the hopeful little inflection of a voice you didn't really bother to listen to.

John Carmody found that out, staring through the living-room window at the cheerful Tuesday afternoon life on the street. He kept trying to think about the big important things, lost now - the years and the plans, the hopes and the love. But he couldn't quite get them focused sharply in his mind just now - not this afternoon.

Those important things were like a huge nebulous background in his mind. All he could remember now was a queer little thing: nothing, really, if you stopped and thought about it in light of the years and the plans and the great love. It was only something his little girl had said to him one evening, two - perhaps three weeks ago. Nothing if you looked at it rationally - the sort of thing that kids are always saying.

But it was what he was remembering now. That particular night, he had brought home from the office a finished draft of the annual stockholders' report. It was very important. Things being as they were, it meant a great deal to his future and to the futures of his wife and his little girl. He sat down to re-read it before dinner. It had to be right; it meant so much.

And just as he turned a page, Marge, his little girl, came with a book under her arm. It was a green covered book, with a fairy tale picture pasted on it. She said "Look, Daddy."

He glanced up and said "Oh, fine. A new book. eh?""Yes, Daddy." she said, "Will you read me a story in it?""No, dear. Not just now," he said.

Marge just stood there as he read through a paragraph that told the stockholders about certain replacements in the machinery of the factory. And Marge's voice, with timid and hopeful little inflections, was saying, "But mummy said you probably would, Daddy."

He looked up over the top of the typescript. "I'm sorry," he answered. "Maybe Mummy will read it to you. I'm busy, dear.""No," Marge said politely, "Mummy is much busier upstairs. Won't you read me just this one story? Look it has a picture. See? Isn't it a lovely picture, Daddy?"

"Oh, yes. Beautiful,"he said, "Now that picture has class, hasn't it? But I do have to work tonight. Some other time..." After that, there was quite a long silence. Marge just stood there with the book open at the lovely picture. It was a long time before she said anything else. He read through two more pages explaining in full detail, as he had directed, the shift in markets over the past 12 months, the plans outlined by the sales department for meeting these problems which, after all, could safely be ascribed to local conditions, and the advertising program that after weeks of conferences had been devised to stabilize and even increase the demand for their products.

"But it is a lovely picture, Daddy. And the story looks so exciting," Marge said. "I Know", he said "Ah.....Mmmmm. Some other time. Run along now." "I'm sure you'd enjoy it, Daddy," Marge said. "Eh? Yes I know I would. But later..." "Oh," Marge said. "Well, some other time then. Will you, Daddy, some other time?" "Oh, of course" he said "You bet."

But she didn't go away. She still stood there quietly, like a good child. And after a long time, she put the book down on the stool at his feet and said, "Well, whenever you get ready, just read it to yourself. Only read it loud enough so I can hear, too." "Sure," he said. "Sure - later."

And that was what John Carmody was remembering now, not the long plans of love and care for the years ahead. He was remembering the way a well-manner child had touched his hand with timid little fingers and said, "Just read it to yourself. Only read it loud enough so I can hear, too."

And that was why, now, he put his hand on the book from the corner table, where they had piled some of Marge's playthings, picking them up from the floor where she had left them. The book wasn't new anymore, and the green cover was dented and thumbed. He opened it to the lovely picture.

And reading that story, his lips moving stiffly with anguish to form the words, he didn't try to think anymore, as he should be thinking, about the important things, about his careful and shrewd and loving plans for the years to come, and for a little while he forgot, even, the horror and bitterness of his hate for the drunken driver who had careened down the street in a second-hand car, and who was now in jail on manslaughter charges.

He didn't even see his wife - white and silent - dressed to be with Marge for the last time, standing in the doorway, trying to make her voice say calmly, "I'm ready, dear. We must go."Because John Carmody was reading:

"Once upon a time, there was a little girl who lived in a woodcutter's hut, in the Black Forest. And she was so fair that the birds forgot their singing from the bough, looking at her. And there came a day when..."

He was reading it to himself. But loud enough for her to hear, too. Maybe.

macfive, that was so sad but had such meaning. I'm in tears. I'm a softie, especially when it comes to children. I know my children and gchildren means everything to me. It seems like people are in such a hurry today, they don't have time for what it seems like the little things but it is everything to someone else. We all need to take time and smell the flowers. The music was a nice touch.

Oh my. Anyone that can read that without crying visibly...is not human. Every once in a while you read a story that brings you back to reality, crashing back actually. This is definitely one of the stories that will. I have a five year old little boy and two year old little girl, with a third one on the way in January. Needless to say my little girl has me wrapped just a little. They are both in bed right now but they will both get an extra hug and kiss tonight and tomorrow. I've saved the story to my hard drive and plan on making a card out of it...just to keep reminding me. It's sad to think that you even need reminders sometimes. There was another story similar to this one that I received some time ago. I willl try and find it and post it if you can stand reading another.

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"...so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."

Some men are drawn to oceans, they cannot breathe unless the air is scented with a salty mist. Others are drawn to land that is flat, and the air is sullen and is leaden as August. My people were drawn to mountains- Earl Hamner Jr.

I knew where it was going went the phone rang. It was my daughter with news that a dear friend of mine, who is like a brother to me, had a Heart Attack and is now in Ohio State University Hospital expecting several more attacks due to blood clots.

It make you really think how life can change instantly.

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May your days be filled with Merriment and May you walk in Balance with Creator.

I've got two sons at the age of 15 and 18 and they are what makes me rich and what is really essential for me. I don't know where my life would be if something happened to them...We are so used to have enough time until it is too late - and too late is a terrible word!So often we take our loved for granted. And then such a terrible event just changes all your priorities! Taking time for our beloved and friends is so important. We never know how much time is left for each one of us...

Macfive, thank you for reminding us where our piorities should be!

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"Now here's my secret", said the fox, "it is very simple. It is only with ones heart that one can see clearly. What is essential is invisible to the eye."

("The Little Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupery)

"The soul would have no rainbow, if the eye had no tears."(Native American Proverb)

Aw man that just rips your heart out by roots, I guess thats why we should prioritize take care of things that are important, Family First, then all else.

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"Cuimhnich air na daoine o'n d'thaining thu" Remember the men from whom you are descended.

I am Wolf. It is my cry you hear in the night, My eyes that gaze at you from the shadows. It is my heart that beats in your Soul, My strength that makes you whole. I am Wolf. I am in you. You are in Me. We Are Wolf.